Jimmy Fortune Hits the Road in 2017 for North American Tour

By Timothy Yap Jan 21, 2017 02:06 AM EST

Country Music Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Jimmy Fortune is gearing up for his upcoming 2017 North American tour, which includes more than 40 stops (see dates below). The must-see tour is already underway, with several standout appearances in 20 different states. Fans will also have a chance to catch waves with Fortune later this year, as he appears on the 14th Annual Jimmy Fortune Alaskan Cruise.

"This is my 14th year as a solo artist and I've been very blessed to have also had a successful career with the Statler Brothers, and now still being able to go to these great places and towns," said Jimmy Fortune. "Being able to say thank you to the fans is what I look forward to the most. Signing autographs and hearing stories from fans after each show is always a highlight."

Since getting his start with the iconic Statler Brothers exactly 35 years ago singing tenor, the chart topper has transitioned from group member to a successful solo artist. As a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and Gospel Music Hall of Fame, along with penning No. 1 country hits such as "Elizabeth" and "Too Much On My Heart," Fortune has a history of captivating country and gospel music fans. The award-winning singer looks to build upon that momentum on the blockbuster tour, performing a combination of gospel standards, along with some of the biggest Statler Brothers hits.

Fortune is kicking off the year on a high, after a huge 2016, which saw the singer being awarded the "Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award" by the Academy of Country Music with the Statler Brothers. Fortune was also the recipient of his very first Dove award for "Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year," along with the Oak Ridge Boys for their song "Life's Railway To Heaven" featured on Fortune's critically acclaimed project Hits & Hymns. The popular TV special, "Jimmy Fortune: Hits & Hymns" also helped to propel Fortune to new heights, being featured on nationwide television throughout the year.

Jimmy Fortune On Tour:
Jan. 20 - Marion, Ill. - Marion Cultural & Civic Center
Jan. 27 through Feb. 3 - Country Music Cruise
Feb. 7 - Lebanon, Tenn. - The Capital Theatre
Feb. 21 through Feb. 25 - Apache Junction, Ariz. - The Mining Camp Restaurant
Feb. 28 - Surprise, Ariz. - Happy Trails RV & Golf Resort
Mar. 10 - Columbia, S.C. - Private
Mar. 24 - Rocky Mount, Va. - Harvester Performance Center
Mar. 25 - Lovingston, Va. - Nelson County High School
Apr. 4 - Leesburg, Fla.- Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center
Apr. 7 - Corsicana, Texas - The Palace Theatre
Apr. 8 - Arlington, Texas - Arlington Music Hall
Apr. 22 - Hegins, Pa. - Tri Valley JR-SR High School
May 2 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
May 7 - Elkins, W.Va. - American Mountain Theatre
May 19 and 20 - Scottsburg, Ind. - Ross Country Jamboree
May 26 and 27 - Gatlinburg, Tenn. - Gaither Family Fest
June 10 - Steelville, Mo. - The Meramec Music Theatre
June 25 - Confirmed TBA
July 1 - Hiawassee, Ga. - Anderson Music Hall
July 4 - Radford, Va. - Radford 4th of July Celebration
July 16 through July 23 - Alaska - Jimmy Fortune Alaskan Cruise
July 29 - Benton, Ky. - Kentucky Opry
Aug. 15 - Lewisburg, W.Va. - WV State Fair
Sept. 2 - Lancaster, PA - American Music Theatre
Sept. 4 - Paden City, W.Va. - Paden City Labor Day Celebration
Sept. 9 - McLeansboro, Ill. - McLeansboro Fall Festival
Sept. 14 - Bremen, GA - Mill Town Music Hall
Sep. 18 - Lawrenceville, Ga. - Gwinnett County Fair
Sept. 21 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
Sept. 23 - Prairie du Sac, Wisc. - River Arts Center
Oct. 6 - South Boston, Va. - Halifax County Fair
Oct. 7 - Manteo, N.C. - Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 15 - Pigeon Forge, Tenn. - Country Tonite Theatre
Oct. 17 and 18 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
Nov. 11 and 12 - Branson, Mo. - Starlite Theatre
Dec. 2 - York, Pa. - York Expo Center
Dec. 3 - Lebanon, Pa. - Lebanon Expo Center
Dec. 7 - Weyers Cave, VA - Weyers Cave Community Center
Dec. 8 - Amherst, Va. - Clifford Baptist Church
Dec. 9 - Liberty, N.C. - The Liberty Showcase Theater
More dates pending

About Jimmy Fortune:
Jimmy Fortune toured, sang and performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years. He joined them first as a temporary replacement for Lew DeWitt, after DeWitt heard him singing at a ski resort and recommended him. Following an audition in Nashville, Jimmy was contacted by The Statler Brothers and performed his first show with them on January 28, 1982, in Savannah, Georgia. Due to the debilitating effects of Crohn's Disease, Lew was unable to return to the stage with the Statlers, and Jimmy was hired as a permanent replacement in August of 1982.

Fortune quickly lived up to his name. He wrote the group's second No. 1 hit, "Elizabeth," on their 1983 album Today, and followed that with two more No. 1 hits-"My Only Love" (from 1984's Atlanta Blue) and "Too Much On My Heart" (from 1985's Pardners In Rhyme). Fortune also wrote the top-10 hit "Forever" from 1986's Four for the Show and co-wrote the top-10 hit "More Than A Name On A Wall" from 1988's The Greatest Hits.

Jimmy and The Statler Brothers were inducted into the GMA (Gospel Music Association) Hall of Fame on October 29, 2007, and inducted into the CMA (Country Music Association) Hall of Fame on June 29, 2008.

After The Statler Brothers retired on October 26, 2002, Jimmy seized the opportunity to launch a solo career to share new music with his fans. His first solo CD, When One Door Closes, was released August 2003 on Audium/Koch. He released a gospel album, I Believe, in June 2005, a Christmas CD, Feels Like Christmas, in 2006, a live concert DVD in 2007 a country CD, "Windows" in 2009, "Lessons" in 2012, and "Hits and Hymns" CD and DVD through Gaither Music Group in 2015. The DVD debuted at #1 on Billboard. Jimmy is currently living in Nashville, writing, and touring.